Kennedy Center board votes to immediately close main building over safety, financial concerns

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com/category/politics/kennedy-center#&_intcmp=fnc_politics_article_main-content_article-body_6_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kennedy Center boardvoted to immediately close the main building of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., citing safety and funding concerns.

PresidentDonald Trumpsaid shortly after the vote that the board agreed “almost unanimously” to close the building for safety reasons and begin the process of reconstruction.

Trump said the closure will take effect immediately, but renovation and reconstruction will not begin until the D.C.Circuit rules in the ongoing dispute over the board’s proposed use of his name at the Kennedy Center.He said Justice Department attorneys will seek an expedited appeal.

Trump also said $17 million he raised has been deposited into the Kennedy Center’s account “to keep it afloat.”

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The Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building Tuesday, citing safety and financial concerns.(Getty Images)

Earlier Tuesday, U.S.District Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the board from putting Trump’s name on the building or renaming the grounds “President Donald J.Trump Plaza,” ruling that such memorials require congressional approval.

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Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi said the board’s decision “reflects sound judgment and a clear prioritization of safety above all else.”

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Damage to the Kennedy Center ceiling after part of it fell into the main hall on Sept.4, 2026.

“As the main building closes for urgent renovations — long overdue and desperately needed to protect the safety of patrons, artists and staff — the Center remains committed to pursuing a safe and efficient renovation through all legal means,�“We intend to appeal today’s Court ruling and move forward with recognizing Chairman President Trump’s historic contributions to the revitalization of America’s Cultural Center.”

The closure comes less than two weeks after part of theKennedy Center ceiling collapsedduring a rainstorm.

�urgent need” for renovations and blamed “decades of neglect and deferred maintenance.”

Trump said Tuesday morning that a security guard had passed through the area only shortly before the ceiling collapsed, and argued that the incident only demonstrated the building’s safety problems.

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A tarp covers the facade of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.(Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“A security guard had just passed the area, one minute prior to this ceiling collapse,” President Trump said in his Truth post.“He was, therefore, 60 seconds away from certain death.”

It was not immediately clear how long the Kennedy Center will remain closed or how Tuesday’s court ruling could affect the closure.

This is a developing story.Please check back for updates.

�s Brie Stimson contributed to this reporting.